How do you guys find all the GOOD STUFF?

[ooo-ribay]

Every month, it seems like Mike, Mark, the two Scotts, Nate, Bob, Joey et al are contributing multiple times to the New Pickups thread. On the other end of the spectrum, I'm hardly ever finding anything to add to my Giants collection.

Where are you guys finding all this good stuff? eBay? High end auction houses? Low end auction houses? Contacts in the hobby?

Lately, I wonder why I even bother with my 50+ eBay searches anymore. They are becoming increasingly fruitless. I am on most auction houses' email or mailing lists but don't find much there, either. And what I do find is usually out of my price range. I'm guessing you guys have more in-hobby contacts than me. Is that the secret? I'm amazed at what some of you continue to find!

[MacDice]

I want to know how people afford all the good stuff. My wife gives me s**t if I spend more than $50

[parker1b2]

Originally Posted by MacDice

I want to know how people afford all the good stuff. My wife gives me s**t if I spend more than $50

+1

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by MacDice

I want to know how people afford all the good stuff. My wife gives me s**t if I spend more than $50

Trading really helps with this, so that you are not always spending money.
Additionally, look to sell whatever does not fit in your "core collecting sweetspot". This offsets the spend.

[murphusa]

I agree with what others have said. Bottom line is be creative.
I have advertised in Church Bulletin's cost me about $160 a year at one of the largest parishes in the Philly area.
I also do work for a lot of Attorneys as an expert witness in divorce court. Sorry guys but it pay well and a great deal of items become available to you.
You also have to put in the footwork to find things at Garage sales, flea markets etc.

As Scott said with his group, there is a large group of collectors out there that no one knows.

They do not advertise their collections or come on this or other sites, come to the auctions. They just buy high end items

It is tough to get into their inner circle but once you do, money does not become an issue as you can flip thing within minutes of buying

[Scott Garner]

Hi Rob,
Great question! I find my new pickups in order of frequency:

1) Networking with many other like-minded collectors
It helps to have a large network of close collector and dealer friends because you "cast a larger net" in the hobby. You can't possibly see every auction and be all-knowing without other friends in the hobby looking out for you. Many of these friendships were forged long before the internet. Without my network of hobby friends, I wouldn't find half of the stuff that I do. Seriously!

2) eBay favorite searches

3) Large auctions

4) SCD (Yes, I actually still subscribe to it and it sometimes pays a dividend. Old habits die hard, even if I may be the last remaining subscriber)

4) Smaller auctions (Infrequently)

I hope this helps.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Hi Rob,
Great question! I find my new pickups in order of frequency:

1) Networking with many other like-minded collectors
It helps to have a large network of close collector friends because you "cast a larger net" in the hobby. You can't possibly see every auction and be all-knowing without other friends in the hobby looking out for you. Many of these friendships were forged long before the internet. Without my network of hobby friends, I wouldn't find half of the stuff that I do. Seriously!

2) eBay favorite searches

3) Large auctions

4) SCD (Yes, I actually still subscribe to it and it sometimes pays a dividend. Old habits die hard, even if I may be the last remaining subscriber)

4) Smaller auctions (Infrequently)

I hope this helps.

Thanks, Scott. The networking does help and I occasionally have someone on this board point something out to me. Unfortunately, as in the most recent case, I usually already have what is pointed out.

SCD? Wow, it's been a looooooong time since I subscribed to that. I remember (pre-eBay) how I would anxiously await its arrival.

As I said about eBay, I rarely, rarely ever see anything there that gets me excited. Every time I search, I think "this will be the day!" but it never is. I only search every 6 days so I may miss some stuff but I don't think I miss much. Their email notifications are a joke.

[mjkm90]

Like Scott I do all the following, but I will qualify my view by saying I have tried to help/give to others quite a bit and that has really helped my network become more productive from an acquisition perspective. If I know a piece in my collection means more to someone else than to me when they inquire, I tend to give it up often via trade or $$$. I really keep an eye out for items my hobby pals might want. I also step aside on items if I feel they appreciate the piece more.

I also search the web general antique sites quite often.

1) Networking with many other like-minded collectors
It helps to have a large network of close collector friends because you "cast a larger net" in the hobby. You can't possibly see every auction and be all-knowing without other friends in the hobby looking out for you. Many of these friendships were forged long before the internet. Without my network of hobby friends, I wouldn't find half of the stuff that I do. Seriously!

2) eBay favorite searches

3) Large auctions

4) SCD (Yes, I actually still subscribe to it and it sometimes pays a dividend. Old habits die hard, even if I may be the last remaining subscriber)

4) Smaller auctions (Infrequently)

I hope this helps.[/QUOTE]

[Scott Garner]

+1 Like Mike said ^, the only way to build a great network of hobby friends is to look out for things that can help other collectors with their own specific interests. When everybody in the network becomes selfless, it's a beautiful thing!

BTW, I have had some amazing things come my way from several of the selfless friends in the hobby, and have actually been surprised how many times I have been helped by people on net54 over the past few years.
We're a great community of collectors!

[Bumpus Jones]

All valid points. I would also try to attend as many of the big shows you can. Especially, The National. My collection / knowledge has grown exponentially since I started doing so about 8-10 years ago. Also, ask lots of questions. They are free!

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Bumpus Jones

All valid points. I would also try to attend as many of the big shows you can. Especially, The National. My collection / knowledge has grown exponentially since I started doing so about 8-10 years ago. Also, ask lots of questions. They are free!

I did enjoy the one National I was able to drive to....many years ago in Anaheim. If you guys see any good, oddball Giants stuff, let me know!